My name is Carrie Pope and I am the Bellhop Supervisor at the Oceanic Hotel on Star Island. What does a bellhop do? It’s hard to list because there is so much! I have a fun and constantly changing job that requires you to move around a lot. Sometimes you use your brain to solve complicated and obscure situations which is great because using your brain is awesome! It’s also awesome because bellhops get to work with almost all the crews on island. We also keep things looking clean and tidy around the hotel and get to play mailman every morning (on business days).

Living on Star is like a dream. Sometimes I still can’t believe I get paid to work in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. There is always an astounding landscape to see and a cool ocean to jump into on hot days. Although the island may be small, there is always something to do. The modesty of Star makes it easy to participate in simple and fun things with your friends like playing cards, bocce ball, or just going for a walk. It’s awesome.

The true value of this place is reflected in the people that live and work here. The community life is unlike any other. I have come back for three summers in a row because I was hooked after my first year. I always wonder whether this place simply attracts awesome people or that being here makes people awesome. I have concluded that it must be both. Working here has changed my life in more ways than I can describe and I know people in this community will be part of my life for years to come. You get to know people in such a different and intimate way — away from technology and other mainland distractions — that is priceless in this day and age.

This is one in a series of essays from current Pelicans — the nickname for Star Island’s summer staff — talking about their jobs and what it is like to live on New England’s unique summer island. If you would like to be a Pelican please apply here.

Our Mission

Our mission since 1915 is to hold and maintain Star Island and such other property as the Corporation may hold or acquire, as a center for religious, education, and kindred purposes consistent with the principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church of Christ.

Our Vision

Our vision is to create on Star Island an environment that frees all who come to renew spiritually, explore matters of consequence, and gain knowledge about the world as it might ideally be.